A Black Belt’s Journey – Lydia Coleman on Grappling, Gender, and Growing the Sport
In this episode of the Shintaro Higashi Show, Shintaro welcomes a very special guest: Professor Lydia Bergamasco—black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, brown belt in Judo, co-owner of Rolling Bear BJJ, and an inspiring competitor with over a decade of experience on the mats. From the early days of being the only woman on the mats to becoming a Pans Champion and IBJJF regular, Lydia shares her journey through jiu-jitsu, judo, and life as a woman grappler and academy owner.
From Striking to Grappling
Lydia’s martial arts roots began in striking, training Muay Thai and boxing before transitioning to jiu-jitsu. Inspired by pioneers like Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate, Lydia began chasing her dream of competing on a big stage. Her dedication paid off with major accomplishments, including a Pan-Am Championship and podium finishes in most of her black belt tournaments.
Despite her dynamic stand-up background and wrestling training, Lydia admits she wasn’t always confident in her ground game. That changed as she committed fully to BJJ, earning her black belt under Professor Fiona Rupinski and making her mark in the competitive grappling scene.
Watch the full video here ↓
Grappling While Female
The conversation dives into the unique challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated sport. Lydia opens up about the early days when female training partners were nearly nonexistent and how she had to navigate male-dominated spaces, sometimes lacking sensitivity or awareness. Her response? Be vocal, be selective, and train smart. Now, as an academy owner, she empowers her students—especially the women—to advocate for themselves and create a safe, supportive environment.
She also highlights the difference between the judo and jiu-jitsu communities when it comes to female support and camaraderie. According to Lydia, judo tends to emphasize respect and unity more, whereas jiu-jitsu can feel more individualistic and even competitive among women.
Creating Space for Women in the Sport
To address the gender gap in grappling, Lydia has launched a women’s-only Friday night class at Rolling Bear BJJ. It’s an inclusive space designed to welcome new and seasoned female grapplers alike. She also praises initiatives like Girls in Gis and G.L.O.S.S., which create opportunities for women to train, learn, and lead together.
Lydia also shares a powerful personal story—when she had to defend herself on a public train and used her skills to neutralize an aggressive situation. It’s a stark reminder of why self-defense and combat sports are so important for women.
Life, Recovery, and the Future
Currently recovering from an ACL tear sustained during competition, Lydia talks about the challenges of injury and the importance of being patient, intentional, and trusting the process. With a strong support system and a solid training environment, she’s making her way back stronger and smarter.
Shintaro and Lydia also talk about broader issues—from pregnancy and training, to representation and respect in martial arts—and how the sport can evolve to better support women in all phases of life.
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